Arda Güler shines and sparks debates: 'Perez should fire him again'

In a FIFA Club World Cup Group H match, Real Madrid clinched a dominant victory over Salzburg, and once again, the spotlight shone brightly on young Turkish sensation Arda Güler. Starting the game and playing for 67 minutes, Güler's captivating performance under new manager Xabi Alonso has further fueled the excitement around his potential, drawing significant praise from both the Spanish press and the fervent Real Madrid fanbase.

Real Madrid secured a comfortable 3-0 win, with Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde scoring in the first half, followed by Gonzalo wrapping up the scoring late in the game. Güler, who was replaced by club legend Luka Modric in the second half, left the field to a chorus of approval, his display enchanting American spectators in the stands and Spanish viewers watching at home.

The enthusiasm for Güler’s talent has a notable backstory. Under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, who departed Real Madrid on May 25, 2025, Güler often struggled to secure consistent playing time despite persistent calls from the fans for him to be given more opportunities. Now, in the nascent era of Xabi Alonso at the helm, Güler is finally getting his chance to prove his quality, and he's seizing it with both hands.

Spanish press reactions reflect this burgeoning optimism:

• "The Turkish player gave the first signals of his true value when he played for his national team at Euro 2024 and continued his positive experience with several bursts of form at the end of the Spanish league. Alonso clearly stated that he had him under scrutiny before he came to the Bernabéu. While changing his position on the field and his team role, he also gave him responsibilities that Carlo Ancelotti had not given him."
• "The Turkish player, much like Luka Modric during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, possesses attacking qualities – skill, game reading, mid-range shooting, and goal-scoring – and perhaps the Real Madrid technical director sees the Croatian player's successor in the young player from Ankara (interestingly, Modric was substituted in for Arda when victory was already assured)."

Beyond the traditional media, Arda Güler has become a trending topic on social media. Real Madrid fans, delighted by his performances under Alonso, have been sending thousands of messages. The sentiment is epitomized by a now-viral, light-hearted quip: "Arda Güler, what a player! Florentino Perez should call Ancelotti and fire him again." This humorous remark perfectly encapsulates the fans' long-held frustration over Güler's limited minutes in the previous regime and their current elation at seeing him thrive. Another fan added, "This Real Madrid is so ruthless today, and by the way, I'm in love with Arda Güler."

As Güler continues to flourish under Xabi Alonso, his performances are not just winning games, but also the hearts of the Madrid faithful, solidifying his status as a genuinely exciting prospect for the club's future.

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